Dramatic Arts Fields Contingent to

Kennedy Center Theatre Festival

                MURFREESBORO, Tenn.--The Georgia Southwestern State University Dramatic Arts Department fielded the program's largest and most broadly representative contingent to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival held at Middle Tennessee State University Feb. 1-6.  

Eleven students were competitively selected to present at the festival in the areas of acting, directing, design, stage management and dramaturgy.

Rebecca Holder, Vienna; Mario Pagan, Americus; Daina Rosario, Kingsland; and Megan Sleeth, Warner Robins, were all selected for participation in the Irene Ryan Acting Auditions.  Their scene partners were Kyle Butler, Waverly; Sidney Davis, Kathleen; Rebekah Martens, Kingsland; and Cassie Martin, Americus.

Davis was selected as a director for the National Playwriting Program and staged one of the short play entries selected for presentation at the festival. Andrew Jones of Warner Robins was selected for participation in the National Stage Management Fellowship program.  Ashley Longacre of Hinesville was selected for participation in the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas Student Dramaturgy Fellowship program.  Nick Ryan of Evans was selected to present in the Barbizon Awards for theatrical design event.

Professor Jeffrey Green received a Meritorious Achievement Award for Excellence in Directing for the production of “Dancing with the Dead” he directed on the GSW campus in November 2009. Ray Mannila, technical coordinator for the Dramatic Arts Department, traveled with the students and served as the faculty sponsor for the event.

In addition to the specific activities for which they were nominated, the students also participated in numerous workshops presented by leading practitioners in the field as well as attending performances of select productions at the festival.

 - GSW -